Why would they change so much from the book? The dialogue was too leading and had no depth to adequately tell the story. Zero development of the characters. In the book you really like Snow until you don't, but at least you understand his journey and why he became who he was.
A lot of the reviewers mention it feeling like a "musical" but I thought that was not the problem, as Lucy Gray sang in the book and was a performer. And the book emphasizes how performance was the missing element to make the districts and the capital start watching the games again. They really glossed over the fact people were losing interest and they were trying to boost ratings to keep people watching and remain in control.
This one was a flop. Especially after the first movies being so good and true to the books.
I have never reviewed a movie on Google but I was so disappointed in this one.